Ground-anchor.



P. V. SIMPSON.

GROUND ANGHOR;

V APPLICATION IILED P33. 11, 1909.

Patented July 25{1911.

c uuam PLANOLIRAPH co.. WASHINGION. D. c

i GROUND-ANCIOR.

Application fi1ed February 11, 19%.

T0 aZZ whom it may conccm:

Re it known that I, Fnnnnron V. SIMP- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niagara Falls, in the connty of Niagara and State of New York, have invented a new and nsefnl Gronnd-Anchor, of Which the following is a specification.

The improved gronnd anchor herein described. and forming the subject matter of this application is of that general type which is adapted to be used in connection with a gny Wire for staying telegraph, telephone, and tent poles, stacks, derricks, and the like.

The objects of the invention are, genou ally, the provision, in a merchantable form, of a device of the above mentioned class which shall be inexpensive to manufactn e, facile in operation, and devoid of complicated parts; specifically, the provision of an anchor of improved construction, of carthengaging means adapted te be used in connection therewith, of novel means for operating the earth-engaging means, and of improved means for connccting the anchor with the tension element; other and further objccts being 1nade manifest hereinaf.ter the description of the invention progresses.

'ihc invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described, delineated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed ont in that portion of this instrument wherein patentable novelty is clai1ned for certain peculiar features of the device, it being nnderstood that within the scope of what hereinafter is thns claimcd, divers changes in the form, proportions, size, and.

1ninor details of the structure may be made xvithont departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Si1nilar numerals of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughont the several figures of the drawings.

In the accompanying drawingsz-Figure 1 shows in perspective the anchor of my invention monnted in the earth; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the anchor, parts of the saine being broken away botter to illustrate the structureyFig. 3 is a top plan of the anchor, the earth-engaging blades being extended be vond the contour thereo; l. is a transverse section open the line AB of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the Specification of Letters Patent.

.atented July 25, 1911.

Serial No. 477,342.

cap, the saine being monnted in its place open the nppeir terminal of the tubnlar member, the said tnbular mernber being brokcn avvay anteriorly; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the driving bar; Fig. 7 is a detail perspective et the carth-engaging blades. the same being separated vertically in order more clearly to reveal their structure and to illnstrate the means whereov the upper or master blade actnates the blattes dispossed beneath it; Fig. 8 shows in front elevation the anchor of my invention mounted in the earth, the parts being assembled in a slightly different 1nanner from that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view of a portion of the top of the anchor and is designed to show one means whereby the anchor may be assembled with the tension clement; Fig. 10 is an end elevation of an anchor eqnipped with a single blade after the manncr shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a top plan showing the anchor eqnipped with a single blade as illnstrated in Figs. 8 and 10.

In carrving out my invention I provide, primarily, an anchor denoted generally by the n1nneral 1. The anchor 1 in its preferred form is conoidal and in cross section of nncqnal dimensions. The anchor is indented. as shoxvn at 2. whereby the faces of the same are cansed to assume a series of longitndinally disposed undulations. The anchor 1 is provided near its upper terminal with a transverse chambcr 3 extending entircly throngrh the bodv portion of the ancher and with an axia] bore 4 extending from the top of the anchor dow vard, communicating vvith the transverse chamber 3 and terminating within the bodv of the anchor below the chamber. Diagonally disposcd portions of the side walls of the anchor are extended bevond the ends of the charnbcr 3 to form stops 5 to receive the earth-engaging means in a manner to be describcd at length hereinafter. For lightncss the anchor mav be cored interiorly npon either side of the axial bore 4, as denoted by the numeral 6.

Rising from the top of the anchor 1 and intemal therewith is a neck 7 through the central portion of which passes the axial bore and in that portion of the axial bore 4 Which pierces the neck 7 is mounted the lowcr terminal of a tnbnlar mcmbor 11.

I further provide earth-engaging means adapted to be used in conneotion with the anchor hereinbefore described, and as Shown in Fig. 7 these earth-engaging means may comprise a master blade 12 a midd1e blade 13 and a bottom blade 14, it being understood that the middle blade 13 is typical merely and that it may be replaced by two or more middle b1ades ont similar construction. The master blade 12 is provided midway between its ends with a polygonal opening 15 and upon its under surface at its periphery with luge 17. The middle blade 13 is provided upon its upper face with upstanding lugs 18 designed to be engaged by the lugs 17 of the master blade when the latter is rotated, and the said middle blade- 13 oarries upon its 1owerface lugs 19 similar in construction to the lugs 17 of the master blade 12. The bottom blade 14 presents a substantia11y flush lower surface and from its upper face rise lugs 20 adapted to les engaged by the lugs 19 of the middle blade 13 as the same is rotated by the master blade 12. It is to be understood that the several lugs hereinbefore mentioned are: so disposed that each blade Will travel through an arc of considerab1e size before engaging the blade beneath it. Each of the blades 13 and 14 is provided with a circular aperture 16 disposed midway between its ends, these circular apertures 16 together with the aper ture 15 of the master blade having unctions Which Will be discl0sed presently in connection with the description 01 the drive bar 21.

The device should be provided with a drive bar 21 which may take a variety of forms; the particu1ar shape of drive bar shown in Fig. 6 having been found to possess advantages. As thus shown, the drive bar comprises a lower terminal 22 circular in cross section and of a diameter conforming approximate1y to the diameter of that portion of the axial bore 4 which is disposed beneath the chambcr 3 in the body of the anchor. Upon this circular portion 22 the blades 13 and 14 are journa1ed for rotation by means of the apertures 16 there in. Above the circular portion 22 the drive bar is provided with a polygonal shoulder 23 adapted to engage the opening 15 in the master blade 12, and this shoulder 23 and the opening 15 in the master lolade may be made square in cross section, as shown. It is to be understood that the circular portion 22 of the drive bar is of such length that when the lower terminal thereof is in abutment with the anchor at the bottom of the axial bore 4, the shoulder 23 Will engage the opening 15 in the master blade 12. The openings 16 in the members 13 and 14 are of such diameter that the shoulder portion 23 of the drive bar may rotate treely in them, Above the shoulder 23 the drive bar may be given octagonal cross section, as shown at 24, terminating at its top in a squared or quadrilateml portion 25. The drive bar 21 is thus constructed that it may be seized for rotation at or near its upper end by wrenches having a variety of 'jaw apertures. This drive bar 21 is to be mounted within the tubular member 11 and it is to be understood that the diagonal dimension of the shoulder 23 is to be such that it may readily be introduced into the member 11.

The upper terminal of the tubu1ar member 11 may be threaded, as shown in Fig. 5, to reccive removably a cap 26 having an upstanding eye 27. This eye 27 serves as a means whereby the cap 26 may be rotated to its scat, and further provides an attachment for the guy wire 28 Which rises into upper terminal connection with the post 29 or other element which it is the function of my anchor to support. The cap 26 is provided with an aperture 31 preferab1y located in the side walls thereof above the upper terminal of the tubular member 11 and threaded to receive a closure which may take the form of a screw p1ug 30.

Passing now to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 wherein I have shown my invention assemb1ed in a slightly diferent manner from that disclosed in the preceding figures, it Will be seen that the device may be equipped in lieu of the plurality of blades already described with a single blade 32 having a broadened neck 33 to substantially fil1 the chamber 3 of the anchor.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, it Will be seen that the neck 7 is provided near its ends with dowmvardly fiaring apertures 8 and into these apertures may be introduced the lower termina1s of a cable 9 or other tension e1ement, the terminals of the element 9 being retained in the apertures 8 by means of 1ead or babbitt 10 which may be poured into the apertures 8 in a molten condition. The upper portion of the cable 9 may be twisted, as denoted by the numeral 35 and arranged to receive the lower terminal of the guy wire 28.

It is obvious that the cab1e 9 in Fig. 8 and the tubular member 11 in Fig. 1 may each be extended upward into contact with the post 29, the guy wire 28 in such case being dispensed with.

The peculiar shape of the anchor 1 hereinbefore described causes it to drive readily into the earth, the undulating form of its faces causing it to maintain a straight and direct course while it is being driven. The form of the anchor furthermcre causes it to pass through the soil without undu1y disturbing the same which is an important fea ture since the earth which lies about the anchor when it arrives in its ultimate position should be as solid and undisturbed as possible, in orderthat the bladcs when swung outward, as hereinafter described, may find firm holding ground.

The practical operation of my invention is as followszThe tubular member 11 being introduced into the axial bore 4 of the anchor 1, the drive bar 21 is introduced into the seid tubular member 11.. The b1ades 19, 13 and 14 are mounted in the transverse cham ber 3, their apertures 15 and 16 being in ver tical alinement with the axial bore 4 of the anchor. The drive bar 21 is then shoved downward in the tube 11, the lower terminal et the said drive bar abutting against the anchor proper at the bottom of the axial bore 4:, the portion 22 of the drive bar registering in the apertures 16 of the blades 13 and 14 and the shoulder 23 engaging the aperture 15 of the master blade 12. The drive bar is then rotated in an anti-clockwise direction Which W111 cause the several blzide to retire into the chamber 3 of the anchor, thcir terminals engaging the stops 5, whereby they Will be retained within the contour o:t the anchor. When thus assembled, per cussive force or pressure is applied to the upper terminal et the drive bar 21 and the anchor forced downward into the ground to the desired depth. A key or wrench is then applied to the upper end 25 of the drive bar or to the portion 24 thereof and the same rotated the shoulder 23 rotating the master blade 13, and the master blade through the lugs 17 which it carries in its turn rotating the blades beneath it, the severa1 blades moving outward from the body on the anchor into the radial position shown in Fig. 3. By referring to Fig. 3, it Will be seen that as the master blade 12 moves outward in a clockwise direction from the chamber 3 it Will ultimately engage the stop 5 at the point 36, by which construction it W111 1oe impossible to give the several blades a complete rotation whereby some or all of them might again become housed terniinally in the chamber 3, thus decreasing their effective projecting earth-engaging surface. When. the above described operation has been completed, the drive bar 21 is removed rom the tube 11 and the cap 26 is rotated into position upon the top 01: the member 11, whereupon the anchor is assembled to receive the lower terminal et the guy wire 9.8.

If desired, betore the cap 26 is mounted in its place the tubular member 11 may be filled with cement, grout, or other congealable 1iquid. The cap 26 is then mounted upon the tubular member 11 and the screw plug 30 having been removed, the terminal et an air-compressor is introduced into the opening 31 of the cap. Air under pressure may thon be introduced into the tube 11, causing the grout contained in the tube 11 to fiow outward at the lower terminal of the s'aid tube, inclosng the rhember 1 in an anchoring body of cernent 34, as shown in Fig. 1. In a solid soil this process need not ordinarily be resorted to but when the device is used in a yielding or soft earth, it may be employed with advantage.

lhe operation of the device as shown in Fig. 8 and following is substantially the same as that hereinbetore described. In such case, however, the terminals of the cable 9 are assembled with the anchor before the device is driven into the earth, the tubular member 11 being dispensed with. VJhen the anchor has been seated to the required depth, the blade 32 is rotated into its protruding positionand the drive bar removed. It is to be understood that when a single blade is used it is provided with a polygonal central aperture to receive the shoulder 23 of the drive bar, atter the manner of the master blade 12 shown in Fig. 7.

It is possible to employ a single blade of the character shown in Fig. 10 in connection with the tubular member 11 shown in Fig. 1, and likewise the several blades shown in Fig. 7 may be employed when the anchor is uscd atter the manner shown in Fig. 8; the illustration ot so obvious a combination of elements being unnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Let-- tors Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, an anchor and earth-engaging means housed within the contour et the anchor and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-cngaging means comprising a master blade and an other blade actuatable thereby.

2. In a device otthe class described, an anchor and earth-engaging means normally housed Within the contour et the anchor, and being movable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said carthengaging means comprising a master blade and another blade actuatable thereby.

3. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a series of eerth-engaging blades housed within the contour of the anchor and being rotatable in planes normal to the axis of the anchor into projection beyond its contour, the said series comprising a master blade and other blades actuatable thereby.

4. 111 a deviee of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber; carthengaging means housed in the chamber and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, diagonal portions of the side walls of the anchor being extended beyond the end of the chamber to form stops to IGCG1Ve the earth-engaging means.

5. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided With an axial bore communicating therewith; a drive bar removably mounted in the bore and being journaled for rotation therein; and earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being actuatabie by the drive bar into rotation beyond the contour et the anchor.

6. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; a drive bar removably mounted in the bore and being j ournaled for rotation therein; and a seriesof earth-engaging blades housed in the chamber and being actuatable by the drive bar into rotation beyond the contour of the anchor.

7. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axia1 bore communicating therewith; a drive bar removably mounted in the bore and being journaled for rotation therein; and a series of earthengaging blades housed in the chamber and comprising a master b1ade actuatable by the drive bar into rotation beyond the contour of the anchor; and other blades actuatable by the master blade.

8. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being apertured in alinement With the axia1 bore of the anchor.

9. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chambrer and being provided with an axia1 bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means rotatably mounted in the chamber and comprising a master blade having an aperture a1ined with the axia1 bore of the anchor; and other blades operatively connected with the master b1ade, whereby they may be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the rotation of the master blade.

10. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber, and being provided with an axia1 bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means mounted in the chamber, the said means being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor and being apertured in a1inement with the bore of the anchor; a tubu1ar member mounted in the upper termina] of the bore of the anchor and arranged to receive means for rotating the earth-engaging means.

11. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber; carthengaging means housed in the chamber and being rotatab]e into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, a portion of the side wal] of the anchor being extended to form a stop to receive the earth-engaging means in projecting position. 7

12. In a device of the class deseribed, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and bing rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor; a tubular member mounted in the upper terminal of the bore of the anchor; a cap carried by the termina] of the tubular member and arranged to receive the termina1 of a tension e1emer1t, the said cap being provided With an aperture and a removable closure therefor.

13. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; a drive bar journaled for rotation in the tube and being removably mounted therein; and earthpngaging means housed in the anchor and being rotatable by the drive bar into projection beyond the contour of the anchor.

14. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; a drive bar j ournaled for rotation in the tube and being removably mounted therein; and a plurality of earth-engaging blades housed in the anchor and being rotatable by the drive bar into projection beyond the contour of the anchor.

15. In a device of the class described, an

anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; a drive bar j ournaled for rotation in the tube and being removably mounted therein; and earth-engaging means housed in the anchor and being rotatable by the drive bar into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means comprising a master blade actuatable by the drive bar and other blades actuatable by the master b]ade.

16. In a device of the class described, an anchor; earth-engaging means housed Within the anchor and being actuatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor; and a drive-bar arranged to be removably assembled With the anchor, the drive-bar constituting a means for actuating the carthengaging means.

17. In a device of the class described, an anchor; earth-engaging blades housed within the anchor and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor; and a drive-bar arranged to be removably journaled for rotation in the anchor, the drive-bar constituting a means for rotating the blades.

18. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a series of earth-engaging blades housed within the anchor and comprising a master blade and another blade actuatable thereby; and a drive-bar arranged to be removably assembled With the anchor, the drive-bar constituting a means for actuating the master blade.

19. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a series of earthengaging blades housed within the anchor and beirig rotatable beyond the contour of the anchor, the series comprising a master blade and another blade actuatable thereby; and a drive-bar arranged to be removably jonrnaled for rotation in the anchor and constituting a means for actuating the master blade.

20. In a device of the class described, an anchor haVing a transverse chamber and being provided With an axial bore communicating therewith; earthengaging means housed in the chamber and being rotatabie into projection beyond the contour et the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being. apertured in alinement With the axial bore of the anchor; and a drive-bar arranged to be removabiy journaled for rotation in the axial bore of the anchor, the drivebar constituting a means for rotating the carthengaging means.

21. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging' means housed in the chamber and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being apertured in alinement With the axial bore of the anchor; a tubular member mounted in the aXial bore of the anchor; and a drivebar removably journaled for rotation in the tubular member, and constituting a means for rotating the earth-engaging means.

22. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an aXial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being movable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being apertured in alinement with the axial bore of the anchor.

23. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being movable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being apertured in alinement With the axial bore of the anchor; and a drive-bar arranged to be removably mounted in the axial bore of the anchor, the said drive-bar constituting a means for actuating the earth-engaging means.

24. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an aXial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being movable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being,- apertured in alinement with the axial bore of the anchor; and a tubular member mounted in the axial bore of the anchor.

25. In a device of the class described, an

anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means housed in the chamber and being movable into projection beyond the contour et the anchor, the said earth-engaging means being apertured in alinement with the axia1 bore of the anchor; a tubular member mounted in the axia1 bore of the anchor; and a drivebar removabiy mounted in the tubular member and constituting a means for actuating the earthengagng means.

26. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means rotatably mounted in the chamber and comprising a master blade having an aperture alined with the axial bore of the anchor, another blade operativeIy connected with the master biade, and arranged to be moved into projection beyond the contour et the anchor upon the rotation of the master blade; and a drive-bar removably mounted in the axial bore of the anchor and constituting a means for actuating the master blade. V

27. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axia1 bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means rotatabIy mounted in the chamber and comprising a master blade having an aperture alined with the axial bore of the anchor, another blade operatively connected with the master blade, and arranged to be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the rotation of the master blade; and a tubuiar member mounted in the xial bore of the anchor.

28. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an aXial bore communicating therewith; earth-engaging means n1ovably mounted in the chamber and comprising a master blade having an aperture alined With the axial bore of the anchor; and other blades operativeiy connected With the master blade, whereby they may be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the movement of the master b1ade.

29. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axia1 bore commu nicating therewith; earth-engaging means movably mounted in the chamber and com prising a master b1ade having an aperture alined with the axial bore of the anchor, and other blades operativeIy connected with the master b1ade, whereby they may be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the movement of the master blade; and a drive-bar removably mounted in the axia1 bore of the anchor, and constituting a means for actuating the master blade.

30. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axia1 bore communicating therewit earth-engaging means movably mounted in the chamber and comprising a master b1ade having an aperture a1ined with the axial bore of the anchor, and other blades operativeiy connected with the master blade, whereby they may be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the movement of the master b1ade; and a tube mounted in the axial bore of the anchor.

- 81. In a device of the class described, an anchor having a transverse chamber and being provided with an axia1 bore commu nicating therewith; earth-engaging means movably mounted in the chamber and comprising a master biade having an aperture alined with the axia1 bore of the anchor, and other biades operatively connected with the master blade, whereby they may be moved into projection beyond the contour of the anchor upon the movement of the master biade; a tube mounted in the axial bore of the anchor; and a drive-bar removably mounted in the tubular member, the drivebar constituting a means for actuating the master blade. r

32. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; a pluraiity of earth-engaging blades housed within the anchor and being movable into projection beyond the contour or" the anchor; and a drive-bar removably mounted in the tube and extended through the blades into Copies of this patent may be obtained for terminal contact with the anchor, the said drive bar constituting a means for actuating the earth-engaging blades.

33. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; a drive-bar removably mounted in the tube; and earth-engaging means housed within the anchor and being actuable by the drivebar into projection beyond the contour et the anchor, the said earth-engaging means comprising a master blade actuatabie by the drive-bar and other biades actuatable by the master b1ade.

34. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; and earth-engaging means housed within the anchor and being movable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor, the said earth-engaging means comprising a master blade and another blade actuatable by the master biade.

35. In a device of the class described, an anchor; a tube mounted in the anchor; and earth-engaging means housed in the anchor and being rotatable into projection beyond the contour of the anchor the said carthengaging means comprising a master blade, and another biade actuatabie by the master b1ade.

In testimony that I daim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signa turc in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDRICK V. SMPSON.

Witnesses:

ALBERT W. GRAY, C. C. JOHNSON.

five cents each, by addressing the Commssioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

